Coast Guard responds to capsized oil supply vessel in Cook Inlet

JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard is coordinating response efforts after a mayday call was received at 5:51 a.m. Thursday from the captain of the oil supply vessel, Monarch, reporting the 166-foot vessel was taking on water at the Granite Point oil platform in the north section of Cook Inlet 45 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.

Seven members of the vessel were safely evacuated from the Monarch onto the oil platform. The Monarch is reportly carrying an approximately 35,000 gallons of diesel fuel and is partially submerged in the ice-covered waters underneath the oil platform. The tug Vigilant, transiting from Nikiski, Alaska, is currently on scene and the Coast Guard Cutter Hickory is en route to assist.

A Coast Guard response team is en route to Kenai to augment the personnel at Marine Safety Detachment in Kenai where an incident command post has been established.

A Coast Guard C-130 is en route to the scene with Coast Guard helicopters to follow as soon as weather conditions permit.